Believe it or not, PHD Comics turns 20 this year! Help us celebrate over 2000 comics, 5 books, 2 movies and countless hours of global procrastination by contributing to this Kickstarter!

PHD Comics

If you've never heard of PHD Comics, it's the comic about life (or the lack thereof) in Academia. Maybe you've seen it on Facebook, or posted outside one of countless research labs or grad student cubicles. For 20 years, PHD Comics has been bringing humor and solace to millions of people online.

The 20th Anniversary Book Collection

For the first time in years, we are publishing a new PHD Book Collection! Filled with some of the best comics in recent years, this collection will also contain exclusive behind-the-scenes essays written by PHD Comics creator Jorge Cham. Topics will include:

"How did the comic get started?"

"Who inspired the characters?"

"What's Jorge's creative process?"

PLUS the question on everyone's mind: "What did Jorge's Ph.D. advisor think of the comics?

The ENTIRE PHD Book Collection!

As part of this Kickstarter, you can also get every single PHD Book ever published (plus Jorge's popular science book "We Have No Idea") at a price that's 25% cheaper than the retail price! That's 7 books for one low price! Get them for yourself or as gifts for your students, friends or lab mates! Don't miss this opportunity!

We Have No Idea

We are also including Jorge's new popular science book, "We Have No Idea: A Guide to the Unknown Universe". It's a book about the biggest mysteries in cosmology and physics that he wrote with Daniel Whiteson, a particle physicist who works at CERN. It's filled with clear explanations and funny cartoons. Nature Journal called the book, "Accessible and entertaining" while Chemistry World wrote "Cham and Whiteson perfectly balance hilarity and serious science."

Hilarity and serious science! What more do you want in a book??

Support this Kickstarter and get awesome rewards:

Level 1 ($25) - Get a signed copy of the 20th Anniversary Book Collection! The collection includes some of the best comics in recent years PLUS exclusive behind-the-scenes essays by comics creator Jorge Cham.

Level 2 ($50) - Get the 20th Anniversary Book PLUS a signed copy of "We Have No Idea: A Guide to the Unknown Universe", Jorge's fun and accessible book (with physicist Daniel Whiteson) about the biggest mysteries in physics and cosmology.

Level 3 ($100) - Get every single book ever published by Jorge Cham! Includes all 5 previous comic collections, the new 20th Anniversary Collection, AND the new paperback edition of "We Have No Idea"! That's 7 books! Get them on this exclusive Kickstarter and save 25% off the total retail price!

Level 4 ($200) - Get every single book ever published by Jorge Cham, PLUS Jorge will draw a custom doodle of anything you like based on a photo you send him. Want a doodle portrait of yourself, or someone you know? A doodle of your research project, pet, advisor, or pet advisor? Now's your chance! The doodle will be sent to you as a .jpg file.

Level 5 ($1500) - Want a custom comic that explains your research, drawn by Jorge Cham? Use it for outreach or in your next Powerpoint presentation. Bonus: you can probably use grant money to pay for it! Jorge will draw a short comic based on a description of your research you send him. PLUS, you get all 7 books (the 5 book collections, a signed copy of the 20th Anniversary Collection and a signed copy of "We Have No Idea") that you can keep or gift to your colleagues or students!

Click on the Rewards tab to choose your backer level!

Stretch Goals!

If we reach the following milestones, we'll include more rewards, including two brand new booklets and a mystery reward!

Stretch Goal #2 Unlocked!

We reached $60,000, which means we'll create a brand new book titled "Prof. Smith's Rules for Advising Grad Students (& Postdocs)" and include it in every reward level (Level 1 backers get an e-book version, while Level 2 backers and above get a physical copy). It's a short booklet that features comics and words of wisdom from Academia's most famous cartoon professor.
It's a fun gift for your favorite Professor or for a soon-to-be Professor!

Stretch Goal #3 Unlocked!

We reached $80,000, which means we'll create a SECOND brand new booklet and include it in everyone's reward package (Level 1 backers get the e-book version, Level 2 backers and above get a physical copy). It's the book version of Jorge's famous lecture, "The Power of Procrastination." Humorous and thought-provoking, the lecture explores the sources of anxiety in Academia and the myths behind procrastination. People who've attended the lecture have called it "better than therapy"!

Stretch Goal #4 Unlocked!

We reached $100,000, which means all backers will get a sneak peek at Jorge's secret new project. We promise it's worth checking out!

Stretch Goal #5 Unlocked!

We reached $120,000, so we'll record a special podcast episode in which Jorge is interviewed by physicist Daniel Whiteson. They'll chat about the comics' origins and answer questions submitted by backers (that's you!).

Stretch Goal #6 Unlocked!

We reached $140,000, so all backers will receive a streaming copy of The PHD Movie. Level 4 backers and above will also get the physical DVD. It's the movie Ars Technica called "A Must-See for Science Fans"!

Stretch Goal #7 Unlocked!

We reached $160,000, so all backers get a streaming copy of The PHD Movie 2: Still in Grad School (Level 4+ backers also get the DVD). Nature Journal called the movie "astute and funny" while the NY Times wrote "Well, Postdocs think it's funny."

Already seen the movies? Gift them to a friend or family member!

Stretch Goal #8 Unlocked!

We reached $180,000, so all backers get access to a Trove of Secrets: a special page where Jorge will share some of his personal artwork, long-forgotten comics and doodles from his sketchbooks dating back 20 years.

Stretch Goal #9 Unlocked!!

We reached $200,000, which means one of the main characters in the comics WILL GRADUATE. Who will it be? Their fate is in your hands. The storyline will complete before the end of the year.

Thank you

Thanks for reading and supporting PHD Comics all these years. It's amazing that something two decades old is still widely read and appreciated. Here's to more exciting projects in the years to come!

Frequently Asked Questions

Head over to the FAQ section for your most pressing answers or contact us via this Kickstarter!

Risks and challenges

Publishing and shipping books has its logistical challenges. It is complex to coordinate the printing and fulfillment of hundreds or thousands of books to many addresses. Fortunately, PHD Comics has been publishing books for over 16 years (!), so we are prepared for most challenges. In addition, fulfillment and shipping of rewards and customer service will be done by Blackbox.cool who has a long track record of success with other creators and with Cards Against Humanity.

Support

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Pledge US$ 25 or more
About US$ 25

The New Book

Get the 20th Anniversary Book Collection SIGNED by Jorge Cham! Contains some of the best comics in recent years PLUS behind-the-scenes essays by Jorge describing how the comic got started, who inspired the characters and how he creates the comics.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 100 or more
About US$ 100

The ENTIRE PHD Comics Book Collection

Save 25%! Get every single PHD Book published (the 5 current book collections PLUS the New 20th Anniversary Book) PLUS We Have No Idea (signed), all for a price that's 25% cheaper than the retail price! It's a great opportunity to own them all or get them as gifts for your friends!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 200 or more
About US$ 200

All Books + Personalized Doodle

Get the entire PHD book collection (all 5 books PLUS the New 20th Anniversary Book) PLUS We Have No Idea (signed) PLUS Jorge will send you a personalized doodle of anything you like: you, your research project, your advisor, your pet, etc. based on a photo you send him. Ever wanted a custom drawing by a famous cartoonist? Here's your chance!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 1,500 or more
About US$ 1,500

All Books + Custom Outreach Comic

Get the entire PHD book collection (all 5 books PLUS the New 20th Anniversary Book) PLUS We Have No Idea (signed) PLUS Jorge will draw a personalized short comic that describes your research. Hint: you can use grant money for this!